Digest: CP, controllers union reach tentative agreement on three-year contract

Canadian Pacific beaver logo

Monday midday rail news: Canadian Pacific, rail traffic controllers reach agreement on three-year contract Canadian Pacific and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Rail Canada Traffic Controllers have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract. The union represents approximately 300 rail traffic controllers in Canada. “This is positive news for these important members of our […]

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Digest: Batory joins R.J. Corman board of directors

Ron Batory

Still more Monday morning rail news: Former FRA administrator Batory joins R.J. Corman board Ronald Batory, whose term as administrator of the Federal Railroad Adminstration ended concluded with the change of presidential administrations in January, has been named to the board of directors of the R.J. Corman Railroad Group. Batory’s 46-year career in the railroad […]

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Digest: $35,000 reward offered in shooting of LA Metro light rail operator

Los Angeles Metro logo

More Monday morning rail news: LA Metro, county government offer $35,000 reward after shooting of light rail operator A $35,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual who shot an LA Metro light rail operator early Friday morning at Indiana Station in East Los Angeles. LA Metro […]

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Digest: Montreal REM trains begin testing

Rail transit vehicle in snow

Friday morning rail news: Montreal’s REM begins testing of Alstom light rail trainsets The first trainsets for Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail system have begun testing, REM reports on its Facebook page. The agency says tests will continue over the next few months between its Brossard station and Milan Boulevard. Alstom is building 106 two-car […]

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Federal regulators delay lease of Union Pacific’s Tennessee Pass line

NTSB logo

WASHINGTON – The Surface Transportation Board will review several issues surrounding Colorado, Midland & Pacific’s proposed lease of Union Pacific’s long-dormant route over Tennessee Pass. The board’s decision, released today, indefinitely postpones what is normally a 30-day clock that covers deals between short lines and Class I railroads. Under U.S. law, railroad transactions fall into […]

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Digest: CTA details plans to rebuild four stations as part of Red-Purple project

Rendering of new rail transit station

Still more Friday morning rail news: Chicago Transit Authority unveils plans to rebuild four stations as part of Red-Purple project The Chicago Transit Authority has unveiled designs for four Red Line stations to be rebuilt as part of phase one the CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization project, a $2.1 billion effort to improve the Red […]

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U.S. rail traffic stats show carloads near 2020 levels, intermodal retaining strength

Table of rail freight statistics

WASHINGTON — Carload traffic, which has long lagged behind previous-year totals, was down less than a percent in the latest U.S. rail traffic figures released by the Association of American Railroads. Overall, traffic for the week ending Jan. 23 included 529,030 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 9%, with 298,051 containers and trailers (a 17.8% […]

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Digest: MTA survey finds near-total mask compliance

MTA Logo

More Thursday morning rail news: MTA survey finds 97% compliance with mask rule on subways New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority says 97% of subway passengers were complying with the agency’s mask order during a survey conducted Jan. 11-22, while 99% of those on buses were complying during a survey Jan. 4-8. The figures were released […]

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Canadian Pacific reports record quarter and year, expects continued volume growth

Container train under overhead signals

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific reported record fourth-quarter and full-year financial results on Wednesday alongside record operating and safety performance. “We had a phenomenal, exceptional 2020 set us up for an exceptional ’21, and we certainly expect to overachieve,” CEO Keith Creel told investors and analysts on the railway’s earnings call. CP expects to see […]

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Norfolk Southern aims to further boost train length as volume rebounds

Crew member riding on locomotive steps

NORFOLK, Va. — After idling the humps at six yards over the past two years under its shift to a Precision Scheduled Railroading operating model, Norfolk Southern now is turning its focus to further boosting train length. The changes aim to help NS close the operating ratio gap with the rest of the industry by reducing […]

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Digest: CP derailment knocks out power to Field, B.C.

Canadian Pacific beaver logo

More Wednesday morning rail news: CP derailment knocks out power in Field, B.C. The community of Field, B.C., was at risk of running out of electricity Tuesday night after a Canadian Pacific grain train derailed earlier in the day, knocking out power. The CBC reports the train derailed about 1:40 a.m., taking out a power line. CP […]

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